Surface section for signs



Oct. 10, 1939. v R M, NETZ 2,175,698

SURFACE SECTION FOR SIGNS Filed April ll, 1939 Fllr. l.

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Patented Oct. 10, 1939 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE 2- Claims.

This invention relates more particularly to signs of the reflecting surface type, and especially to such a sign having a sectional built-up surface portion.

An object of the invention is the provision of a simple, efficient and novel sign surfacing construction composed of a plurality of edgewise joined and interengaging sections with each section including a backing member of stiff material, suitable for attaching to a frame or support, and a face plate mounted thereon in a strong, durable and efficient manner, the face plate adapted to edgewise join the face plates of adjoining sections to combine therewith to form an enlarged reflecting surface and with the backing plate extending at points beyond the edges of the face plate to facilitate attaching to a mount and having its edges fashioned for interengaging connection with the backing plates of adjoining sections.

The invention is fully described in the following specification, and one embodiment thereof illustrated in the accompanying drawing, in which- Figure l is a face view of two plate sections embodying the invention in assembled form; Fig. 2 is a face view of one of the sections with parts broken away; Fig. 3 is a rear view thereof, and Fig. 4 is an enlarged fragmentary section of one of said sections.

Referring to the drawing, I designates a sign facing section embodying the invention and including a backing plate 2 and face plate 3.

The backing plate 2 is of suitable stiff durable material, such for instance as metal, hard plastic or ber board material. The face plate 3 preferably comprises a small section of a glass sheet of a light reflecting and diffusing nature which, for such purpose, has its outer surface formed with a multiplicity of small closely adjoining lens-like portions of either concave or convex form and has its inner surface treated as in the case of a mirror.

The face plate 3 is preferably of rectangular form to adapt a plurality of such plates to be placed in edgewise adjoining relation to form a sign surface of desired size and shape. The edges of the backing member 2 are of irregular form to provide alternating projections 5 and incuts or recesses 6 complemental to the meeting edges of adjoining sections l to permit interengaging of such adjoining edges, as is apparent. The projections 5, or at least some of them extend slightly beyond the respective edges of the face plate 3 to facilitate attachment to (Cl. llll-425) an exposed edge of a reflector plate, the pro- D jections 5, at least so far as they extend beyond the respective side edges of the face plate, may be omitted. The projections 5 are covered by face plates 3 of adjoining sections.

A feature of the invention preferably employed 3"? resides in the manner of attaching the face plate 3 in a rigid and secure manner to the back plate. This is accomplished by securing a fabric 3, for instance cheese cloth, to the back surface of the face plate, preferably by means of a layer or I5 coating of shellac 9. Such fabric covered surface is then cemented to the front side of the back plate 2 by a suitable mastic material lil, and for such purpose the front surface of the back plate is preferably roughened or pitted. It 520 is found that this not only provides a simple and comparatively inexpensive manner of securely attaching the plates 2 and 3 together, but also provides a reinforcement for the glass plate 3 to resist shattering of the plate or falling out 25 of broken pieces if struck.

In the use of the surface sections l any num-- ber may be placed edgewise together on a suitable frame or backing structure (not shown) to provide a reflecting surface of the desired shape 30 and size.

I wish it understood that my invention is not limited to any specific construction, arrangement or form of the parts, as it is capable of numerous modifications and changes without de- 35 parting from the spirit of the claims.

Having thus described my invention what l claim as new, and desire to secure by United States Letters Patent, is:

1. A surface section for reflecting signs, com 40 prising a back plate and a face plate firmly secured together one over the other, the face plate being of a shape to edgewise join similar plates of adjoining sections of a sign and having a forward light reflecting back surface and a light 45 diffusing front surface, and the back plate having alternating edge projections and recesses for interengaging with complemental edge portions` of back plates of adjoining sections, a portion at least of said projections extending beyond the respective face plate edges and apertured to receive attaching means.

2. A surface section for reflecting signs, comprising a stiff back plate and a face plate disposed one over the other, the face plate being of a reflecting nature and of a shape to edgewise tending beyond the respective face plate edge join similar plates of adjoining sections, and the and apertured to receive attaching members, back plate having alternating edge projections and a fabric interposed between said plates and and recesses to interengage with complemental cemented to each.

edge portions of back plates of adjoining sec- RALPH M. NETZ. tions, a, portion at least of said projections ex- 

